'Commission walk a way to siphon money; build flyover'

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Congress has criticised the state govt's decision to reconstruct the ‘controversial' skywalk in the state capital, a day after the govt announced it would resume work on the unfinished project.

The Opposition has stated that instead of spending money on the incomplete skywalk, the govt should construct a flyover in line with public demand.

State Congress President Deepak Baij launched an attack on the BJP and former minister Rajesh Munat over the skywalk. He said, "This is not a skywalk, it's a commission walk. The number of pedestrians in the city is steadily decreasing. What's needed is a flyover, not a skywalk. This was merely a means to siphon off money." City's traffic is increasing and it needs a flyover, not a skywalk, Baij told TOI.

"A flyover would help address current and future traffic problems effectively. The city's residents, including intellectuals, traders, doctors, and people from all walks of life were opposed to the skywalk project from the beginning. Now that the govt has decided to rebuild the incomplete skywalk, the public is once again reacting negatively. The govt should reconsider its decision and plan to construct a flyover in line with the city's future needs," said Congress spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur on the matter.

The spokesperson said the initial tender for the skywalk was issued for approximately Rs 37 crore. Just one and a half months after construction began, the tender amount was increased, eventually reaching around Rs 67 crore. Meanwhile, Raipur West MLA Rajesh Munat criticised the Congress party, accusing them of obstructing development work during their regime. He held the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress govt responsible for any increase in the skywalk project's cost.

During their tenure, the previous Congress govt had cited allegations of procedural irregularities and concerns over its utility, structural integrity. Subsequent investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) were initiated to examine these issues.

A more recent inspection by PWD officials revealed that ACP sheets, aluminium frames, and divider railings have been stolen from several places on the bridge. The steel and nut bolts installed in the bridge are intact. The work on welding, painting, flooring, hood, and flooring fixing is incomplete. Several parts have also rusted due to rain and heat.